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Silk, mohair, cashmere and other luxury fibres

Edited by R R Franck, Consultant, UK

Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles No. 19

The great appeal of this book is that it provides valuable information to those with a professional, or even occasional, interest in the fiber industry.
Wild Fibers Magazine

 - covers all aspects of the growth, physical characteristics, production, marketing and consumption of silk, mohair, cashmere, camelhair, Alpaca, Llama, Vicuna, Guanaco, Yak and Musk Ox fibres
 - describes the rare occasions when a lower priced and lower quality version of a luxury fibre has damaged its overall reputation

Although none of the luxury fibres, including silk, is produced in large quantities, their particular and unique qualities of fineness, softness, warmth and pleasurable handle mean that they occupy a very important place in the luxury apparel and fine furnishing trades.

This book covers all aspects of the growth, physical characteristics, production, marketing and consumption of silk, mohair, cashmere, camelhair, Alpaca, Llama, Vicuna, Guanaco, Yak and Musk Ox fibres. The image of these fabrics is of course all important and the book describes in detail those rare occasions when a lower priced and lower quality version of a luxury fibre has damaged its overall reputation. Some natural fibres covered here including spider silk are also increasingly finding applications within the technical textiles sector where their high performance thermal properties and bio-mimetic qualities in particular, are very useful.

This is an essential reference for all those involved in any part of the luxury fibre trade.

Published in association with The Textile Institute

£165.00 / US$280.00 / €200.00

An e-book version of this title is available to purchase as part of a Collection or Pick n Mix or by Chapter. Visit Woodhead Publishing Online

About the editor

After graduating from the Scottish Woollen Technical College (now the Faculty of Textiles of Heriot-Watt University), Robert Franck started his career in textiles in the marketing department of ICI’s newly formed Fibres Division. During the next 20 years he progressed to be the Manager of the fibre sales department of ICI’s French subsidiary. After a period as Sales Director of a large French worsted spinner he joined International Linen, the promotional and development organisation of the Western European flax industry, where he was a member of the international management team with particular responsibilities for the UK and Far East. He also took an active part in new product development. On retiring from International Linen he set up his own consultancy and has undertaken projects for companies and governmental organisations in Europe, Australia and the Far East. He is a Fellow and past Member of the Council of The Textile Institute and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Handbook of natural fibres
Handbook of natural fibres
Bast and other plant fibres
Handbook of textile fibres
Silk

Contents

Silk
R Currie
 - Introduction and history
 - Silk fibre and its characteristics
 - Silkworn rearing and cocoon production
 - Reeling and yarn production
 - Raw silk testing and classification
 - Yarn and fabric manufacture
 - The care of silk
 - Sand-washed silk
 - The market position of silk
 - Silk production and trade today
 - Silk producing countries
 - Silk consuming countries
 - What about the future?

Mohair
L Hunter & E L Hunter
 - Introduction and brief history
 - Chemical and physical fibre properties
 - Fibre production and early processing
 - Yarn and fabric manufacture
 - Mohair production in various countries
 - Marketing and cost considerations

Cashmere, camel hair and other hair fibres
J Dalton & R Franck
 - Introduction
 - Cashmere, Pashmina and Cashgora
 - Camelhair
 - Alpaca fibre
 - Llama fibre
 - Vicuna fibre
 - Guanaco fibre
 - Angora
 - Yak fibre
 - Musk ox fibre

Appendix 1 International trade rules for raw silk and other products of silk

Appendix 2 Spider silk

Appendix 3 Composition of mohair fibres and of amino acids

Appendix 4 Mohair yarn spinning and properties

Appendix 5 Mohair fibre and fabric properties

Appendix 6 Mohair dyeing and finishing

Appendix 7 Mohair product list

Appendix 8 Rules for the use of the mohair trade mark (label)

Appendix 9 Scotland and China and cashmere trade

Appendix 10 Quality assessment of goat hair for textile use

Appendix 11 Luxury flame retardant fabrics for aircraft applications